A refinishing project for a bedroom set of two dressers and a nightstand, this post shows the process for the High Boy dresser. Both dressers had been painted white but were originally of beautiful maple wood, and the paint was old, faded and chipped. The client wanted the dressers stripped and refinished, and any problems dealt with. This one needed extra work – the sides were bowed and needed to be re-glued and clamped, one side was burned and the glue blocks were missing from the feet.
The client wrote this letter for me –
Anyone looking to have their valuable and/or antique wooden furniture restored or repaired would do well to contact Mr. Mark Fry of Museum Quality Restoration Services. (museumqualityrestorationservices.com)
It is a rare thing indeed, especially nowadays, to find a genuine artisan; Mr. Fry’s skill, precision and attention to detail are truly outstanding. The results of Mark’s labor are so extraordinary, they must be seen to be believed. My tired mahogany-and-cherrywood dining set now has a brilliant glow… maybe even better than new. Our Biedermeier chairs are stronger and more beautiful than ever before. Also, his restoration of a battered and painted- over maple bedroom set was nothing short of miraculous; unsightly pieces of junk were transformed into magnificent heirlooms that will last for generations.
In addition to the work he did for me, Mr. Fry also restored several valuable antiques for my mother, Mrs. Herman Wouk. In light of all which it is my great pleasure to highly recommend Mark Fry’s expertise. You will, I feel certain, be amazed and delighted with his work.
With gratitude and admiration, Iolanthe Woulff
July 11, 2015,
Here is the project gallery, please click on the images to expand and then use the arrows at the side to scroll through, an image of the original letter appears at the end of the gallery
The High Boy dresser before stripping work starts
Drawer Bodies taped and papered ready to strip and refinish
During paint stripping process
Stripping back edge of drawer lip to remove all traces of paint
During the stripping process I discovered the dresser side is burned. Perhaps this is the reason why the dressers were both painted.
Finished stripping, the burned side is completely uncovered
After stripping
Sides of dresser are bowed and must be clamped and re-glued
Bowed sides of dresser being clamped and re-glued
Made and fitted missing glue block to front leg
Made and fitted missing glue block to back leg
Re-gluing delaminated back of dresser
Sanded and stained dresser, ready for sealer
Sanded and stained drawers, ready for sealer
Applied sealer coat, fine sanded, applied satin lacquer coats, hand rubbed and lemon oiled
Applied sealer coat, fine sanded, applied satin lacquer coats, hand rubbed and lemon oiled
Applied sealer coat, fine sanded, applied satin lacquer coats, hand rubbed and lemon oiled
This was the burned side – compare this picture to the earlier photo, burned area is undetectable
